Line-marking device.



L. J. PRESCOTT.

LINE MARKING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 21, 1912.

Patented June 10,1913.

elf'wmzij Inventor Witnesses Attorneys LUCIEN J. PRESCOTT, OF BELMONT, NEW YORK.

LINE-MARKING DEVICE.

ona-oer.

Specification of Letters Patent.

llatentedJune1.0,19.1.3.

Application filed May 21, 1912. Serial No. 698.804.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LUUIEN J. Pnnsoo'irr, a citizen. of the United States, residing at Belmont. in the county of Mlegany and State 0'! New York, have invented new and usetul Improvements in Line-lrlarking Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in what may be termed marking lines.

The invention has ftor its object to provide a line holder for readily inking or adapting the line for marking as the same is actuated or snapped by the action of the lingers as in the use of the ordinary chalk -line.

A still further object is to provide a novel, simple, inexpensive, convenient and etl'icient holder ot the character indicated.

The invention consists in the novel construction, arrangemei1t. and combination ol parts as hereinafter disclosed and defined by the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawing, illustrating the preferred embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation with parts broken away; Fig. 9 is a plan, parts being broken away; Fig. 0 is a vertical transverse section, taken on the line -l-? of Fig. 1; Fig. -l a itragl'ntmtary sectional view, showin more full y the manner ot attaching the marking line to its reel or winding member.

In carrying out the invention there has been provided an elongated receptacle '1 having a partition 13 intermediate its ends forming the com'l'iartments 2 and l0, the c mipartment 2 being relatively deep and the other compartment being relatively shallow. A reel 4t is held in the compartment 9 by means of an axle 3 engaging the sides of the coln nirtment a djaccnt their upper edges. The partition 13 is provided with an aperture l t: and the other end ot the shallow compartment is provided with an aperture 15. said apertures being on a line tangential with the bottom of the reel -l-. Said reel 4]: is suitably recessed or hollowed out laterally as at to render it skeleton-like or light in weight.

A suitable marking line 6, preferably ot twine, or otherwise constituted, has one end connected to the reel 4t, the connection being preferably effected by passii'lg the line through an oblique passage 7 in the reel and knotting the line as at 8. at the requisite end, said passage terminating at its ends centrally in the periphery and at one side at the reel, respectively. The line (3 is passed outward through the apertures 14- and 15 and its outer end is attached to a sticking awl l8.

t uitable guards t are secured, in any practicable way, within the compartment 2 ot the casing l and are so arranged or disposed with respect to the periphery of the reel as to retain the marking line against casual displacement as it is unwound theretrom or rewound thereon.

An inking pad I l. is arranged in the bot tom ot the compartment 10 and is on a level with the apertures l1 and 15. An upper inking pad is arranged within the compartment [0 and rests on the pad 'll over the line (3, a cover lo being hinged within the compartment '10 directly above the upper pad 12 in order to swing against the said pad. One end of the said cover is hinged within the com mrtment '10 arljacent the partition '13 and the linger piece 17 is secured to the :l'ree end of the said cover for con 'enienee in raising the same.

in use. it: being understood that the pads 11 and 12 have been supplied with suitable ink. and the line being wound on the reel 4, the line may be inked or adapted for marking by drawing the same outward and un' winding it. trom the reel, as will be evident. It will be noted that the amount of ink transmitted to the line from the pads will be governed by the pressure given to bear on the cover l6. it being preteraliile to apply pressure to the cover '16 by the thumb. 'lhus. the line may be inked according to the requirements. and the line may be snapped in the manner of a chalk line tor the. purpose o'l. marking, as is well known to those versed in the art. The im press-ion made by the inked line will be distinct and will not be as Fugitive as the ordi' nary chalk mark. and it is also possible to shade the mark according to the force with which the cover 16 is depressed.

l t will be noted that the upper portion or a substantial part of the reel is exposed in order that the reel may be spun or revolved by the hand for winding up or reeling the line, and that the ink bearing pads provide a suitable marking agent surrounding the line tor coating same. the cover being hinged to the receptacle in such a manner as to retain the marking agent within its compartmcnt and in order that the marking agent may be pressed against the line. The whole device is so proportioned as to be graspable in one hand With the first thumb phalange on, the hinged cover and the ball of the thumb at the side face of the reel so as to control both the coating and the unreeling of the line. This is of particular advantage for the reason that when the stick and is properly engaged to an object, the receptacle may be held in the hand as specified and may be carried away from the stick and so as to unreel the line, the reel being prevented from spinning or revolving too fast by pressing the ball of the thumb against the side face thereof, and the coating of the line being regulated by the pressure of the first thumb phalange on the hinged cover.

What is claimed is:

A device of the class specified embodying an elongated receptacle having a partition intermediate its ends forming two compartments, a reel journaled in one compartment with a substantial portion thereof exposed, a line connected to the reel and passing outwardly through the partition and the end of the other compartment, a marking agent in the latter compartment surrounding the line for coating same, and a cover hinged Within the latter compartment to permit the marking agent to be pressed against the line, the Whole being so proportioned as to be graspable in one hand with the first thumb phalange on the hinged cover and the ball of the thumb at the side face of the reel to control both the coating and the unreeling of the line.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

LUCIEN J. PRESCOTT. lVitnesses LE0 WV. PIKE, CHAS. E. MILLS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

